The Owl Nebula (Messier 97) and the Surfboard Galaxy (Messier 108) are two fascinating deep-sky objects located in the constellation Ursa Major.

• Messier 97 (Owl Nebula): This is a planetary nebula about 2,030 light-years away. It was formed roughly 8,000 years ago when a dying star ejected its outer layers. The nebula's nickname comes from its appearance—two dark voids in its structure resemble an owl's eyes.

• Messier 108 (Surfboard Galaxy): This is a barred spiral galaxy, seen almost edge-on, which gives it the elongated look of a surfboard. It lies about 28 million light-years away and is part of the Ursa Major Cluster. Unlike many spiral galaxies, M108 lacks a prominent central bulge, instead displaying a mottled, dusty structure.

• It was first discovered by Pierre Méchain, the French Astronomer, on February 16, 1781. Pierre was a colleague of Charles Messier, who observed this object a few weeks later and added it to his now-famous catalog. 

• When William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, observed the nebula in Ireland in 1848, his hand-drawn illustration resembled an owl's head, and it has been known as the “Owl” nebula ever since.